low calorie foods vs not

Okay... so most of my weight-loss journey I've thought that low calorie versions of foods were the way to go. 

For example, I've always bought the lowest-calorie cereals, soups, meals, etc.  However, now I'm starting to wonder if maybe I should start buying more normal or higher calorie products.

Do products with more calories keep you fuller longer?

I think I've always bought the low cal stuff so I can eat more. So will I still be full eating smaller portions of the higher calorie stuff?

The reason I'm asking is because some of my old favorite (low cal--50 cals per cup) soups contain milk, and now that I'm vegan, I'm going to avoid these products. 

Whether or not you fill full generally has a lot more to do with the protein, fibre and fat content of foods (especially fat) than the calorie content, since these three are the things that make you feel full.  Since you are a vegan, you naturally aren't going to get as much saturated fats (since the majority of sat fats are from animal sources), so you don't need to worry as much about your fats.  

Are these regular calorie foods higher in these nutrients than the low-calorie counterparts?  If so, then they likely will make you fill full on less.  I've noticed that usually the low calorie processed stuff can also be mostly chemicals and air, so they don't fill you up as much as just eating normal foods.  

I would think that if the high calorie foods are more nutritionally dense, that you will be able to eat less and feel satiated.

I think it mostly depends on the type of food. For example, a lot of the lowest-calorie options for breads are simply filled with air and don't really do anything for you nutritionally; on the other hand, whole grain breads are full of complex carbohydrates that actually do fill you up.

Like thermal said, many low-calorie options tend to be chock full of chemicals and air, so eating higher-calorie foods may help you feel fuller (and also get more nutrition).

thanks guys. Eating the lowest calorie stuff on the planet hasnt really even helped that much with my weight lose.  (over the past year I've lost 5 net pounds--after losing and regaining, etc). I will definitely try this new method.  I'm not saying that I'm going to be eating UNHEALTHY foods (like high calorie big macs and junk), just not the 'light' versions of foods.  So, healthy foods with higher calories.  Hope this makes sense :)

The only way to keep the weight off (in my opinion) is to change your eating habits for the better and keep eating that way for life.  Since I eat mostly fresh foods, I don't have a lot of experience with "diet" products.  Very little of my food comes in packages.  The best advice I ever got was to be a "perimeter shopper."  That means shopping around the outside perimeter of the supermarket and only going into the aisles for specific things.  So you would buy fresh produce, meats, poultry and fish, dairy products and whole grain breads. 

I think you're doing the right thing.  Instead of spending money on those low cal products, you can start looking at your diet in a more natural light. 

so I've started eating higher cal foods, and I do think I've been feeling fuller longer :)